A New Era for Sesame Cultivation in San Pedro

In the last week of September, the much-anticipated launch of the 2023-2024 sesame planting campaign took place in the city of Choré, located in the department of San Pedro.

Government Support for Agricultural Productivity

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), Carlos Giménez, announced that the government would offer robust support to farmers by enhancing agricultural mechanization and technical aid. He emphasized the need to acquire additional machinery to ensure that Paraguayan agriculture becomes more productive and profitable.

Collaboration for Greater Agricultural Funding

Giménez explained that the Ministry, alongside representatives from the Legislature, will work together to secure more funds for agricultural research. This, in turn, will help transfer vital technical knowledge to farmers, improving their productivity. He also called on agricultural faculties to contribute their expertise to this goal, highlighting the importance of integration for better outreach to those in need.

Sesame Pricing: Encouraging Farmers to Plant

Gilberto Ozorio, the head of the Paraguayan Chamber of Exporters and Sesame (Capexse), revealed the initial reference price for sesame, aiming to motivate farmers to start planting.

“In collaboration with the Minister and taking calculated risks, we’ve determined that a base price of G. 8,000 per kilo (USD 1.03) would be appropriate to encourage us to achieve our production and surface area targets,” Ozorio stated.

Building Stronger Partnerships for Sesame Production

Ozorio called for increased institutional support to strengthen Paraguayan family agriculture and make sesame a flagship product. The goal is to cultivate 100,000 hectares of confectionery sesame varieties and another 100,000 hectares of mechanized varieties. The last harvest generated G. 355,000 million, roughly USD 50 million, from exports.

The Quest to Meet Global Demand

Despite progress, Ozorio acknowledged that the country is only halfway toward its production goals, limiting the potential for increasing exports. He stressed the unmet demand in the global market, urging Paraguayan farmers to seize the opportunity to expand production and meet this growing need.

International Support and Market Opportunities

Ozorio expressed his gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for lifting the inspection order on Paraguayan sesame in Japan, opening up smoother export routes to the Asian market.

He further emphasized the unique position of Paraguay as the only country in the world producing both confectionery and mechanized sesame varieties. With 25 export destinations and a reputation for high quality, Paraguayan sesame continues to be a top choice in international markets due to its safety standards and reliable exporters.





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